Pressurized water to elegance head

[lillia28]

I am considering upgrading my Mariner 28 to a Raritan Elegance electric head. The boat does not have a pressurized water system. I don't mind adding a pressurized system. The boat is left on a mooring with no access to shore power. My question regards how the elegance prevents contamination of the fresh water supply, specifically, does it depend on pressure? Which is to say, does the pressure pump need to be left on all the time? I understand the need to install an accumulator tank, but will the system remain sterile with the power off for a few days? I've checked the owners guide on the Raritan site, but it doesn't really address the issue.

Thanks
Lou

 

[Chuckbear]

My suggestion, Contact Raritan and ask. I've found them to be extremely helpful. Chuck

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Cross contamination can be prevented by only one method-don't connect a head to the potable water pressurized system. Dependence on failure-prone devices such as check valves is a recipe for failure.

As you don't have not have a pressure water system, it's easy to install a separate system dedicated exclusively to the head.

 

[Chuckbear]

I'm pretty sure the Elegance comes in both fresh water and salt water configurations. Why not save the aggravation and install the salt water model? Chuck

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Not quite true

Cross contamination can be prevented by only one method-don't connect a head to the potable water pressurized system. Dependence on failure-prone devices such as check valves is a recipe for failure.

It is true that NO toilet designed to use SEA WATER should ever be connected to the potable water system. However, it IS safe to connect toilets that are DESIGNED BY THE MFR TO USE PRESSURIZED WATER to the potable water system. If that were not true, no toilet mfr would offer toilets designed to to be connected to the potable water system--that would be just asking for lawsuits. That every major mfr does offer toilets designed to be connected to the onboard potable water is proof that it IS safe.

The Elegance is designed to use pressurized fresh water...therefore, it is safe to connect it to existing potable water plumbing. No, the pump does not have to be left on all the time. Adding remote intake pump will allow the toilet to use "raw" (sea, lake, river) water, but that's a very expensive option...plus, the "Smart Flush" and 3-way flush options--major benefits of the Elegance--require pressurized flush water....they won't work with a raw water flush.

All that said, IMO the Elegance is a wee bit of overkill for your boat. I would strongly consider the Raritan Sea Era instead...available in both pressurized fresh water and raw water versions. Raritan Sea Era

 

[noanker]

I installed a Raritan marine elegance in my o'day 31. I used the fresh water model. there is in my opinion no way it could back feed into my potable water system short of the boat sinking.

 

[Benny17441]

Good observations, Peggie. I just get a kick out of this forum.